Actuator for aerosol valve, provided with a pivoted directional spout



Jan. 7, 1964 s. B. PRUSSIN ETAL 3,116,856

ACTUATOR FOR AEROSOL VALVE, PROVIDED WITH A PIVOTED DIRECTIONAL SPOUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1960 ATTORNEYS FIG.4

Jan. 7, 1964 s. B. PRUSSIN ETAL 3,116,856

ACTUATOR FOR AEROSOL VALVE, PROVIDED WITH A PIVOTED DIRECTIONAL SPOUT Filed Aug. 24. 1960 2 Sheefs-Sheet 2 INVENTORS SAMUEL l3 PRUSS/IV JACOB SURKS United States Patent M 3,115,856 AQTUATUR FUR AERGSSL VALVE, PROVIDED WITH A PTVQTED DRECTIQNAL SPOUT Samuel B. Prussia, Westport, Conn, and Jacob Surks, Elmon'fi, N.Y., msignors to Aerosol Techniques, Inc,

a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 24, was, Set. No. 51,689 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-394) This invention relates to a dispenser which is suitable for use in connection with medicament-containing selfpropelling compositions for topical application.

Self-propelling compositions used in topical therapy contain as essential ingredients a medicament, for example, antibiotics, anesthetics, chemical antiseptics, and a liquefiable propellant, which, for example, can be a halogenated hydrocarbon such as a Freon or mixture of Freons. The compositions can also contain additional ingredients for the purpose of imparting special properties to the compositions. Such compositions are well-known in the art and are described, for example, in United States Patent 2,782,975 to Bird.

There is a need in the art for a dispenser which can be used in such manner as to apply the medicament directly to the affected area, thereby aiiording, for instance, complete anesthesia ot a sore throat area within a very short period of time. This is in contrast to certain conventional products now on the market, such as troches, lozenges, etc., which dissolve in the mouth and in doing so anesthetize the palate and tongue, in short, the oral cavity in addition to the uvular area.

There is also a need in the art for a dispenser which can be conveniently packaged and carried in the pocket or purse so that it will be readily available for use. Besides meeting the foregoing requirements, the dispenser should be free from fluid leaks. It is the object of this invention to provide a dispenser meeting the aforementioned needs and requirements.

The dispenser of the present invention is made up of several parts. The dispenser has a container for the composition to be dispersed and a valve associated therewith. Both the container and the valve can be of conventional construction. Thus, the container can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, glass, plastic coated glass, plastic materials or the like, and the valve can be one which disperses a measured quantity of the self-propelling composition or not. One suitable type of valve is shown in United States Patent 2,721,010 to Meshberg. Valves employed in dispensers for self-propelling compositions are commonly provided with a hollow stem which serves to actuate the valve so that composition released when the valve is opened passes through the stem. The dispenser of the invention has a cap of resilient plastic material engaging the valve actuating means, e.g., the valve stem, so that when the cap is depressed the valve is actuated. The cap has a depending skirt slidably engaging the sides of the container and a portion extending beyond the side of the depending skirt and container which contains a socket for receiving a knuckle on one end of an elongated spout or nozzle also made of resilient plastic material. A slot is provided below the socket for rotation of the spout between a non-dispensing position a ongside the container and an elevated dispensing position. A passageway is provided in the cap in communication with the passageway of the valve 3,1 M856 Patented ran. 7, W84

and entering the socket. A passageway is provided in the spout and knuckle which is in communication with the cap and socket passageway when the spout is in elevated dispensing position and out of communication when the spout is alongside the container in non-dispensing position.

The dispenser of the invention with the elongated spout provides an advantageous means for applying medicament directly to the aflected area while also providing, by means of the cap structure and knuckle-and-socket joint, advantageous means for sealing the spout against leakage and for storing the dispenser by turning the spout down alongside the container so that the space taken up by the dispenser is reduced to a minimum, a particular advantage when carrying the dispenser in purse or pocket. The depending skirt of the cap provides rigidity of the cap structure and proper alignment so that danger of cocking the valve is eliminated and also provides an effective and sanitary seal for the top of the container which prevents entry of foreign particles such as found in purse or pocket which might jam the actuating means or contaminate the composition.

For a more complete understanding of the dispenser of the present invention, re erence is made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a particularly advantageous specific embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation with a partial crosssection taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view showing the nozzle end of the embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section similar to FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a further enlarged fragmentary crosssection showing the nozzle in a closed or non-dispensing position and showing a modification of socket structure.

FIGURE 6 is an isometric view, partly in cross-section, of the cap and nozzle arrangement of the invention showing a modification of the knuckle and socket structure and with the nozzle in dispensing position.

FIGURE 7 is an isometric view, partly in cross-section, similar to FIGURE 6 except showing the nozzle in nondispensing position.

FIGURE 8 is an exploded isometric view, partly in cross-section, similar to that of FIGURE 6 and showing a modification of socket structure.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a container for the self-propelling composition. This container is of conventional design and can be made, for example, of stainless steel, glass, plastic coated glass, aluminum and plastic materials or the like. The container has associated with it a conventional valve 2 (FIGURE 4) provided with stem 3 which in turn is provided with passageway 4. The numeral 5 designates a cap which engages the stem 3 and serves as an actuating means for the valve 2. The cap 5 is provided with serrations 6 for gripping and with a depending guide skirt '7 which slidably engages the sides of the container 1. In the embodiment illustrated, the depending skirt 7 slidably engages the sides of the cap or valve ferrule 1A of the container 1. The term sides of the container includes such a structure. The cap 5 has an integral portion 8 extending beyond the side of the depending skirt '7 and container 1. The cap 5 is provided with passageway 9 in communication with the valve stem passagewa I 4. In the cap portion 3 an integral socket 19 is provided for receiving a knuckle. An elongated spout 11 containing a passageway 12 is provided. On one end of the spout 11 a knuckle in the form of an integral ball 13 is provided which in association with the spherical socket lit in cap portion 8 forms a ball-and-socket joint or connection. A quadrantal slot 14 is provided in the socket it) so that the spout can be rotated between an elevated dispensing position, shown as substantially at a right angle to the container, and a non-dispensing position alongside or adjacent to the container (broken line of FIGURE 2). The cap 5, with its integral portion 8 and socket it), and spout 11, with its integral ball 13, are made of resilient plastic material, e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene. The ball 13 is forced into the socket 19 through the slot 14 and the dimensions of the ball and socket are such as to provide a tightly fitting, but rotatable, joint.

The operation of the dispenser of the drawings is as follows.

When it is desired to use the dispenser, the elongated spout 11 is first positioned as shown in FIGURE 2 with the spout elevated so that the passageway 12 of the spout is in communication with the passageway 9 of the cap 5. The cap 5 is then depressed in the direction of the container l (the depending skirt 7 sliding down the sides of the container 1) thereby depressing valve stem 3 and actuating valve 2. This releases composition from container 1 and the composition then flows through passageways 4, 9 and 12 into the affected area where the medication is to be applied. When not in use, the spout 11 is rotated down through the slot 14 to a non-dispensing position alongside the container, thus providing a neat, co'mpact package for carrying. When in the non-dispensing position the spout passageway '12 is out of communication with the cap passageway 9, this passageway being sealed by the tight contact of the ball 13 therewith. Also, it is to be noted that because of the slidable depending skirt 7, the top of the container is sealed at all times thus preventing the entry of foreign particles around the actuating mechanism which could cause jamming of the cap and prevent or interfere with dispensing. A removable cap can also be provided on the tip of spout 11 to prevent clogging of passageway 12 with foreign particles.

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, the ball 13 and socket of resilient plastic material are of spherical construction and are made to fit tightly, but rotatably, together so that leakage in the dispensing position is prevented and in the non-dispensing position minimized in the event that the primary valve 2 is accidentally actuated. If desired, means for locking the primary valve 2 can be provided to prevent accidental actuation when the spout is in the non-dispensing position. A particularly advantageous socket construction is shown in FIGURE 5 which insures against leakage. As shown in somewhat exaggerated form in FIGURE 5, socket 10, instead of being truly spherical, has a fiat area 15 adjacent the passageway 9 through the cap 5. This flat area causes elastic deformation of the ball 13 and of the socket, so that the ball and socket are in tight contact where the passageway 9 through the cap 5 enters the socket, thereby insuring against leakage at that point. As a result, ball portion 13, which is tightly fitted into socket 10, is assured of making contact with the outlet of passageway 9. Hence, regardless of whether the spout 11 is in the open or dispensing position of FIGURE 2 or the closed or non-dispensing position of FIGURE 5, the passage of fluid in a direction other than through passageway 12 when the spout is in the open position is substantially eliminated. This means that the dispenser functions more efiiciently when being used for topical application and also that leakage or dripping is reduced to a minimum when the dispenser is carried in the purse or pocket.

The outside diameter of the spout 11 at the end near the ball 13 is preferably made slightly larger than the distance between shoulders 15 of slot 14. With this construction, the spout ll can be snapped into the position of FIGURE 5 and will be retained there until raised to the position of FEGURE 2, thus making fonfurther increased convenience in carrying the dispenser 1n the purse or pocket. Also, when raised to the dispensing pos t on of FIGURE 2, the spout will remain in this pOSlllOll securely while dispensing.

FIGURES 6 to 8 show a modification of the knuckle and socket structure illustrated particularly in FIGURE? 2, 4 and 5. ln FIGURES 6 to 8, th@ knuckle 13a is made in the form of a cylinder, rather than a all 35 In FIGURES 2, 4 and 5, and the socket 10a is of acor sponding cylindrical shape to receive the cylindrical knuckle 13a. Other than the shape of the knuckle and socket, the construction is the same as that of FEGURES 2, 4 and S and similar parts are given the same reference numerals as in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5. In FIGURE 8,-

the modification of providing a -flat area 1611 adjacent the: passageway 9 through the cap is illustrated, in somewhah exaggerated form, and functions in the same manner as escribed above in connection with FIGURE 5.

What is claimed is:

1. In a dispenser for a self-propelling composition comprising a container for the composition to be dispensed, a valve associate-d with the top of the container for releasing composition therefrom, the valve being provided with a passageway therethrough serving as a conduit for the composition released from said container, and actuating means for said valve, the combination therewith of a cap of resilient plastic material engaging the valve actuating means, the cap having a depending skirt slidably engaging the sides of the container, the cap having a portion extending beyond the side of the depending skirt and container and containing a socket for receiving a knuckle, a passageway in the cap in communication with the path sageway of the valve and entering the socket, an elongated spout of resilient plastic material with a knuckl portion on one end rotatably engaged in the socket of the cap and a passageway through the spout and the knuckle of the spout, a slot in the socket portion of the cap below the socket whereby the spout can be rotated in a lans including the vertical axis of the assembled dispenser between a non-dispensing position alongside the c ontainer' and an elevated dispensing position, the passageway in the cap and socket being in communication with the pas sageway of the knuckle and spout when the spout is at the dispensing position and the passageway in the cap being out of communication with the passageway of the knuckle and spout when the spout is in the non-dispens'ihg position, whereby when the cap is depressed the valve is actuated and composition to be dispensed is released from the container through the cap and socket passageway and through the spout when it is in dispensing position 2. The dispenser of claim 1 in which the knuckle is a ball,

3. The dispenser of claim 1 in which the resilient plastic material is polyethylene.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 in which the slot is of a slightly smaller width than the Width of the spout, whereby the spout can be snapped through the slot into the dispensing or non-dispensing position.

5. In a dispenser for a self-propelling composition comprising a container for the composition to be dispensed, a valve associated with the top of the container for releas-- ing composition therefrom, said valve being provided with.

a passageway theret hrough serving as a conduit for the composition released from said container, and actuating means for said valve, the combination therewith of a cap of resilient plastic material engaging the valve actuating means, the cap having a depending skirt slidably engaging the side of the container, the cap having a portion extending beyond the side of the depending skirt and container and containing a socket for receiving a knuckle,

a passageway in the cap in communication with the passageway of the valve and entering the socket, the socket being flattened where the passageway enters the socket, an elongated spout of resilient plastic material with a knuckle portion on one end rotatably engaged in the socket of the cap and a passageway through the spout and the knuckle of the spout, a slot in the socket portion of the cap below the socket whereby the spout can be rotated in a plane including the vertical axis of the assembled dispenser between a non-dispensing position alongside the container and an elevated dispensing position, the passageway in the cap and socket being in communication with the passageway of the knuckle and spout when the spout is at the dispensing position and the passageway in the cap being sealed by the tight contact between the knuckle and socket where the socket is flattened when the spout is in the non-dispensing position, whereby when the cap is depressed the valve is actuated and composition to be dispensed is released from the container through the cap and socket passageway and through the spout when it is in dispensing position.

6. The dispenser of claim 1 in which the depending skirt of the cap sliclably engages the sides of the valve ferrule of the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 555,318 Hitt Feb. 25, 1896 1,683,997 Strafus Sept. 11, 1928 2,727,658 Mart Dec. 20, 1955 2,752,066 Ayres June 26, 1956 2,753,214 Abplanalp July 3, 1956 2,793,795 Wilson et a1. May 28, 1957 2,800,259 Wilson et a1. July 23, 1957 2,828,895 Mart Apr. 1, 1958 2,973,123 Rousset Feb. 28, 196 1 FOREIGN PATENTS 666,957 Great Britain Feb. 20, 1952 1,185,244 France Feb. 9, 1959 

1. IN A DISPENSER FOR A SELF-PROPELLING COMPOSITION COMPRISING A CONTAINER FOR THE COMPOSITION TO BE DISPENSED, A VALVE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOP OF THE CONTAINER FOR RELEASING COMPOSITION THEREFROM, THE VALVE BEING PROVIDED WITH A PASSAGEWAY THERETHROUGH SERVING AS A CONDUIT FOR THE COMPOSITION RELEASED FROM SAID CONTAINER, AND ACTUATING MEANS FOR SAID VALVE, THE COMBINATION THEREWITH OF A CAP OF RESILIENT PLASTIC MATERIAL ENGAGING THE VALVE ACTUATING MEANS, THE CAP HAVING A DEPENDING SKIRT SLIDABLY ENGAGING THE SIDES OF THE CONTAINER, THE CAP HAVING A PORTION EXTENDING BEYOND THE SIDE OF THE DEPENDING SKIRT AND CONTAINER AND CONTAINING A SOCKET FOR RECEIVING A KNUCKLE, A PASSAGEWAY IN THE CAP IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE PASSAGEWAY OF THE VALVE AND ENTERING THE SOCKET, AN ELONGATED SPOUT OF RESILIENT PLASTIC MATERIAL WITH A KNUCKLE PORTION ON ONE END ROTATABLY ENGAGED IN THE SOCKET OF THE CAP AND A PASSAGEWAY THROUGH THE SPOUT AND THE KNUCKLE OF THE SPOUT, A SLOT IN THE SOCKET PORTION OF THE CAP BELOW THE SOCKET WHEREBY THE SPOUT CAN BE ROTATED IN A PLANE INCLUDING THE VERTICAL AXIS OF THE ASSEMBLED DISPENSER BETWEEN A NON-DISPENSING POSITION ALONGSIDE THE CONTAINER 